Ragsdale-Jackman-Yarbrough House
San Marcos, Hays County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Built in 1868 by Peter C. Ragsdale (1810-1882), veteran of the army of the Republic of Texas. After his death, his wife, Elmira, operated a school for girls until the house sold in 1891 to William T. (Uncle Billy) Jackman (1851-1939), trail driver to Kansas (1870s-80s), sheriff of Hays County (1892-1912), postmaster of San Marcos (1913-1920), president of Trail Drivers Association (1931-1937). Restored 1947 by Mr. and Mrs. Yancy Yarbrough, local educators. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1972
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Built in 1868 by Peter C. Ragsdale, a veteran of the Republic of Texas army, this San Marcos house later sheltered a girls' school run by his widow Elmira before passing in 1891 to "Uncle Billy" Jackman. Jackman lived a quintessential Texas life — a trail driver to Kansas in the 1870s and '80s, later Hays County sheriff, town postmaster, and president of the Trail Drivers Association. Restored by educators in 1947, the home links the frontier, cattle-drive, and civic eras of Central Texas.
Why it matters
Through its successive owners the house threads together the Republic army, the great cattle drives, and the schooling of the next generation — a layered portrait of frontier Texas becoming settled.
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Related people
- · Peter C. Ragsdale
- · Elmira Ragsdale
- · William T. "Uncle Billy" Jackman
- · Yancy Yarbrough
Themes & tags
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